Michael Ervin Calumag

In a study by University of the Philippines (UP) Manila National Institutes of Health’s Institute of Human Genetics, around 2 among 10 Filipinos have cancer. This poses a need for the country to advance their technology for early discovery of this disease.

Photo Courtesy of University of the Philippines.

In response to this, the University of the Philippines’ Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) has acquired the nation’s first state-owned positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scanner, which is expected to benefit indigent patients who struggle to access high-end diagnostic services.

UP-PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi emphasized the significance of this acquisition, noting that the PET-CT scanner is central to diagnosing cancer and other diseases such as heart failure and brain disorders. 

“We have leveled the field for poor patients who will use this machine 80 percent of the time versus 20 percent for paying patients,” he said.

The PET-CT scanner currently accommodates up to eight patients daily, with plans to increase capacity to fifteen. 

The combination of PET and CT technologies provides a detailed view of how tissues and organs function while identifying abnormalities in a single session, allowing doctors to make accurate diagnoses and develop targeted treatments.

In addition to the PET-CT scanner, UP-PGH also opened a centralized intensive care unit (ICU) with 32 beds and acquired a 128-slice CT scanner, further enhancing its service capabilities.

“All of these developments are part of PGH’s long-term master plan,” Legaspi said, emphasizing the hospital’s role as a teaching institution for clinicians, healthcare managers, and administrators critical to achieving universal healthcare.

The Philippine General Hospital, under the UP System, serves as the biggest government tertiary hospital in the Philippines, serving more than 700,000 Filipino patients yearly.

“These new facilities reflect PGH’s commitment to providing cost-effective and accessible healthcare, world-class education, and impactful health research,” Legaspi added.

The combination of PET and CT scans give doctors a better understanding of the condition, allowing more accurate diagnosis and treatments.

With this breakthrough, PGH raises the cancer care standards in the country and remains true to its commitment of providing an accessible healthcare system to all.